The truth is even stranger than Fang Zheng imagined.
"My lord husband!"
Seeing the black-haired, straight-haired girl in a kimono, about the sa age as His Majesty, calling him "my lord husband" shocked Fang Zheng. He stared blankly at the girl for a while before coming to his senses.
"Who... are you?"
Fang Zheng was certain he had never seen this girl before.
"We haven’t t before, have we?"
"Yes, this is our first eting, my lord husband."
The girl smiled slightly and then respectfully lowered her head.
"I am Kagura Yaya, and from today on, I am to serve by my lord husband’s side. I’m not particularly talented, so please take care of ."
"Kagura Yaya... Kagura Yaya..."
Carefully examining the girl in front of him, Fang Zheng muttered her na, then suddenly his eyes lit up.
"Are you a friend of His Majesty?"
"Yes, I have known His Majesty for a long ti."
So it’s her...
Hearing Kagura Yaya’s answer, Fang Zheng finally rembered. Previously, he had heard from His Majesty that she had only one friend around her age, Kagura Yaya, the head of one of the six families in Kyoto, Japan. Fang Zheng had never t Kagura Yaya, even though His Majesty had asked before.
He just never expected to et her here.
However...
"Why do you call my lord husband? This is our first eting, right?"
"Haven’t you heard from Zeqi, my lord husband? As a symbol of Japan’s affection with the Chinese Federation, Zeqidun asked to marry you as your wife."
"Zeqidun..."
Upon hearing this na, Fang Zheng frowned. He certainly hadn’t forgotten about that Japan version of Wang Jingwei. Using the Chinese Federation’s influence, Zeqidun successfully beca Japan’s chief executive. However... well, his position wasn’t very stable. He might have co up with the idea to offer this girl to him knowing Shunazer intended to have Euphemia marry over.
Still...
Fang Zheng stared at the girl in front of him. Kagura Yaya also calmly t Fang Zheng’s gaze with a smile. After a mont, Fang Zheng shrugged.
"Sorry, Miss Royal, I have not yet decided to take a wife."
"I understand; my lord husband still has the engagent with the Third Princess of Britannia, right?"
"I’m only considering that; I haven’t decided to accept it yet."
Fang Zheng waved to interrupt Kagura Yaya.
"Miss Royal, although I’d like to chat with you more, I’m sorry, I have a lot of work to do currently. Please excuse ."
After saying this, Fang Zheng politely nodded to Kagura Yaya before turning to leave. Although Kagura Yaya expressed dissatisfaction, Fang Zheng didn’t look back at her at all.
"This is the first ti I’ve seen you have a woman you couldn’t handle, Mr. Fang Zheng."
Accompanying Fang Zheng into the elevator, Kurumi teased with a grin once the elevator doors closed. Fang Zheng shook his head.
"It’s not that I couldn’t handle her; it’s that we both understood each other’s desires, so there was no need to continue the conversation."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Exactly."
Fang Zheng nodded.
"The reason she is trying to get close to is because of my identity in this world. Given my influence in the Chinese Federation, if she were to have a child with my bloodline, she could achieve the aim of controlling the Chinese Federation. She need not be Empress Wu Zetian, but even if it’s my child, as long as half of that child’s blood is hers, it ans ’a child of her bloodline can control this country.’ She’s here for that reason. As for Zeqidun... it’s unclear whether this is her plan using him, or if Zeqidun was persuaded by her."
"How did you figure that out, Mr. Fang Zheng?"
Hearing this, Kurumi widened her eyes in surprise. Just monts ago, she had noticed Fang Zheng’s attitude toward Kagura Yaya was sowhat impatient. This was rare for Fang Zheng because he was usually very gentle with children, even willing to help soone as unemotional as Anya. Yet, with Kagura Yaya, Fang Zheng seed a bit rude.
Back then, Kurumi was very surprised, and now it seed... Fang Zheng had deeper reasons.
After a mont of silence, Fang Zheng replied to Kurumi’s question.
"Because we are kindred spirits."
"...kindred spirits?"
"Yes, we both prioritize reason above emotion. This doesn’t an we don’t laugh or cry, but that even when angry, we maximize rational consideration and understand the events to benefit from them. Kagura Yaya clearly understands the current situation, with Japan effectively becoming a part of the Chinese Federation. Considering the immigration situation, whether or not we can eventually thwart the Reapers, Japan cannot separate from the Chinese Federation."
At this point, Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes.
"So, she imdiately decided to do this, using herself to achieve her objectives. Since Japan cannot separate from the Chinese Federation, she wants the ’hybrid Japanese’ to beco part of the Federation’s top level and perhaps even rule it — can you believe that if we did have a child, once grown, she would claim ’this child possesses Japanese blood and can better understand its residents’ as an excuse to have them beco Japan’s chief executive?"
"But... if you say that, isn’t it the sa with Miss Euphemia?"
"I haven’t t Euphemia yet, so it’s hard to say."
Fang Zheng shook his head.
"As for this Miss Royal, I’m not particularly fond of her. You should consider she’s just 15 and a friend of His Majesty’s... frankly, I now wonder if she befriended His Majesty out of genuine friendship or for status and position."
"Ding."
At that mont, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened.
"That’s why there’s no need for us to talk more — because I know what she wants, and she knows that I know."
"So you don’t plan to agree to her, Mr. Fang Zheng?"
Walking out of the elevator with Fang Zheng, Kurumi asked again, and Fang Zheng shook his head.
"If my status were solely as a Chinese Federation prince, this deal wouldn’t be a loss for . But the problem is, that’s only a disguise. If she stays by my side, the Heavenly Dao Palace’s connections will definitely be exposed... I won’t underestimate this woman, so I’ve already refused her. I hope she will be sensible enough not to bother again."
"What if she cos back?"
"At that ti..."
At this point, a trace of cold killing intent flashed in Fang Zheng’s eyes.
"There might be an accident that no one wants to see."
Fang Zheng did not like Kagura Yaya because this girl was smart, rational, and had clearly defined goals. She knew what she wanted and how far she could go. This didn’t imply the other girls around Fang Zheng were dim, but that Kagura Yaya had a stronger political inclination.
If she learned about Heavenly Dao Palace’s existence, she would certainly try to use it to her advantage.
Even if her objectives are politically correct, Fang Zheng would not allow her to use his Heavenly Dao Palace.
Therefore, ending their interaction here was a reasonable choice for him.
If it continued, who knows what might happen.
"So, what’s next?"
"It’s about the Third Princess of the Britannian Empire, Miss Euphemia."
Facing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Kurumi answered cheerfully. Hearing Kurumi’s answer, Fang Zheng stopped in his tracks, and rolled his eyes helplessly.
"You know I’m very busy right now."
"That’s why I hope Mr. Fang Zheng, you can promptly deal with these mundane matters, right? Otherwise, it might beco quite a headache, you know?"
You’re basically suggesting I turn them down diplomatically.
With Kurumi’s response, Fang Zheng pursed his lips, understanding her aning — surely, Kurumi wouldn’t want any more vague female figures around him. Yet, compared to Asuna and Nobiru, Kurumi’s approach was notably more clever.
"Please, Mr. Fang Zheng, Miss Euphemia is waiting for you in the room."
Reaching the door, Kurumi stopped and gestured invitingly to Fang Zheng.
Fang Zheng could only shake his head, then tidied his clothes and opened the room door.
There, he saw a girl with long pink hair in a formal dress sitting on the sofa. Hearing the door open, the girl quickly stood up, respectfully lifted her skirt, and bowed to Fang Zheng.
"Hello, Your Highness, I am Euphemia L.I Britannia..."
However, before the girl could finish her words, she involuntarily stopped. She stared at Fang Zheng in a daze, and Fang Zheng, too, widened his eyes in surprise at the pink-haired girl before him.
"Miss Yuffie?"
"Mr. Fang Zheng?!"
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